Ukraine Bans Telegram Messaging Platform on Official Devices Amid Security Concerns
In a move to enhance national security and minimize threats posed by Russia, Ukraine has officially banned the use of the popular messaging platform Telegram on all official devices issued to government and military personnel, as well as employees in the defence sector and critical infrastructure.
The decision was announced by Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council (Rnbo), citing concerns that Telegram was being actively used by the enemy for cyber-attacks, distribution of phishing and malicious software, user geolocation, and even missile strike correction. The ban comes in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Despite Telegram’s widespread use by government and military officials in both Ukraine and Russia, the Rnbo emphasized the need for the ban after military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov presented credible evidence of Russian special services’ ability to access personal correspondence of Telegram users, including deleted messages.
While the ban applies to official devices, government officials and military personnel will still be able to maintain and update their official Telegram pages. The Rnbo clarified that the ban does not extend to personal smartphones and that those officials for whom the use of Telegram is essential for their work duties will be exempt.
Telegram, which offers end-to-end encryption, was co-founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov and his brother in 2013. Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition communities on the platform. Last month, Durov, who is also a French national, was placed under formal investigation in France as part of a probe into organized crime.
In response to Ukraine’s claims, a spokesperson for Telegram stated that the company would be interested in reviewing any evidence supporting the allegations made by Budanov. The spokesperson reiterated that Telegram has never provided messaging data to any country, including Russia, and that deleted messages are technically impossible to recover.
The ban on Telegram in Ukraine has sparked a debate about freedom of speech, accountability, and how platforms moderate content. With Telegram claiming to have reached 950 million monthly active users, the ongoing controversy surrounding the messaging platform is likely to continue.
